Ever wondered if you can stick to your keto goals while indulging in McDonald’s? Good news—you can! Whether you’re on a road trip, running late, or simply craving some classic fast food, McDonald’s can be keto-friendly with a little savvy ordering. From bunless burgers to breakfast hacks, there’s something for every keto dieter looking to stay low-carb without compromising flavor.
This guide will walk you through the best low-carb fast food options at McDonald’s, including tips on navigating the menu, finding the highest protein at McDonald’s, and ordering smart with your keto goals in mind. Hungry? Let’s get started.
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Are Low Carb McDonald’s Options Healthy?
Let me just get this out there.
The answer is no.
Just because they are low in carbs does not mean these options are healthy.
Sometimes, when you’re traveling and you don’t have many options to choose from, the kids get cranky, and eating at McDonald’s will have to do. It’s a quick option when you haven’t packed enough low carb snacks.
I’m not suggesting that eating at any fast food restaurant is healthy. And there are reasons to limit fast food, even if it’s keto-friendly.
Why You Should Limit Eating Low-Carb Fast Food
Many of the menu items are cooked in processed vegetable oil. Soybean oil is the most prevalent oil McDonald’s uses. It contains many omega-6 fatty acids, which contribute to inflammation in the body.
But, once in a blue moon, eating a fast-food keto meal won’t likely harm your health.
Tip: On those rare occasions when you find yourself with no other options but McDonald’s, here’s how to stay on track with low carb.
How To Eat Low Carb McDonald’s Meals
While the fast food giant is known for its carb-heavy burgers and fries, there are plenty of ways to enjoy a meal at McDonald’s while still sticking to your keto lifestyle. Here are some tips for navigating the menu!
Best Keto McDonald’s Breakfast Options
Mornings just got a lot better! McDonald’s offers several items that pair perfectly with a ketogenic lifestyle. From bacon-packed breakfast sandwiches to protein-filled eggs, it’s easy to kickstart your day the keto way.
Note: I used the food chain’s handy online calculator to determine which foods you can safely eat if you’re keeping carbs low to lose weight.
Top Breakfast Picks:
- Egg McMuffin (No Muffin)
- Nutritional Info: 3g net carbs, 12g protein
- Think egg, cheese, and Canadian bacon—no muffin, all deliciousness.
- Sausage, Egg & Cheese McGriddle (No Griddle)
- Nutritional Info: 2g net carbs, 16g protein
- Skip the pancake-like griddle cakes and focus on the goodness inside.
- Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit (No Biscuit)
- Nutritional Info: 2g net carbs, 13g protein
- It’s bacon, egg, and cheese—what more could keto lovers want?
McDonald’s Breakfast Foods To Avoid On Keto
There are a few breakfast foods that you should avoid.
They are:
- Fruit & Maple Oatmeal: It contains 62 grams of carbs (What would be left if you told the cashier to hold the fruit and oatmeal?)
- Fruit ‘N Yogurt Parfait: Even removing strawberries and granola from the equation still yields 20 grams of carbs.
- Hotcakes & Sausage: You can ask for the sausage if you’re craving processed breakfast meat.
Egg McMuffin On Keto
Currently, there are quite a few breakfast sandwiches on the menu. I’m not going to go through all of them, but I will highlight the best-selling option: the iconic Egg McMuffin!
It’s made with a freshly-cracked egg, cheese, and Canadian bacon on an English muffin. But since the muffin is off-limits for keto dieters, ask for it without the bun or swap it out for a low-carb alternative like lettuce wraps.
It’s been one of my all-time favorites since I was younger. So much so that I decided to recreate it at home and make a keto version of the egg McMuffin.
I made mine with keto-friendly bread. It was so delicious, I might even dare to say it’s better than the original!
Bunless Burgers Take the Spotlight
Question: Can you order McDonald’s without buns?
Answer: Absolutely—and it’s a total keto game-changer.
Obviously, just as with breakfast sandwiches, you can drastically cut the carb count by removing the buns. McDonald’s burgers are full of flavor on their own, and when you remove the bun, you eliminate those pesky carbs.
Many menu staples can be transformed into delicious low-carb options with this simple hack.
Tips To Enjoy A Low Carb Burger At McDonald’s
But, if you still want to have your burger and eat it too, you have 3 options:
As for the first keto McDonald’s option, that’s not enjoying the full experience of having a burger. And hey, you’re only doing this once in a blue moon, right? So, at least have a lettuce wrap burger.
I prefer the third option. I might not always think ahead to bring my own wraps or buns, but I think this is the most enjoyable option.
Tip: Want to get it down to 5 grams? Tell them to hold the ketchup and sub in your own sugar-free ketchup!
Top Low-Carb Burgers at McDonald’s:
- Quarter Pounder with Cheese (No Bun)
- Nutritional Info: 5g net carbs, 25g protein
- Loaded with beef, cheese, pickles, and onions, this is a satisfying way to hit your protein targets without blowing your carb count.
- Big Mac (No Bun, Extra Lettuce)
- Nutritional Info: 5g net carbs, 18g protein
- Skip the bun and you’re left with all the classic flavors of the Big Mac (even the signature sauce) served in a low-carb-friendly package.
- Double Cheeseburger (No Bun)
- Nutritional Info: 4g net carbs, 20g protein
- A budget-friendly, protein-packed option that satisfies your cravings while keeping things keto.
Keto Tip: Make my version of McDonald’s Big Mac Casserole! It’s delicious, easy to make, and topped with all of the classic Big Mac toppings.
Is the Big Mac a low carb fast food option?
A regular Big Mac contains 25 grams of protein. That’s a nice dose of protein if you’re a bodybuilder. But, with the protein comes a whopping 46 grams of carbs. Ok, technically with the 3 grams of fiber the Big Mac has, it’s only 43 grams of net carbs.
Obviously, if you’re on a ketogenic diet, eating a regular Big Mac is sure to kick you out of ketosis. In fact, some people following keto try to stay as low as 12 grams a day.
But, ditching that bun, as I did in my version of the Big Mac Salad, the carb count drops dramatically.
Just by removing the buns brings it down to 7 carbs. Saying no to the special sauce yields 5 grams. You can shed even one more gram by holding the pickles.
The good news about McD’s beef patties is that they use 100% pure USDA-inspected beef patties with no fillers and no extenders. However, the meat isn’t 100% grass-fed organic, as that would significantly increase the cost.
And, if you’re curious how the American cheese looks so yellow on its burgers, yes, color is added (along with soy lecithin and other additives.)
But hey, you gotta pick your battles, right?
Salads & Sides with the Lowest Carbs at McDonald’s
NOTE: Salads were removed from the menu due to the COVID-19 pandemic to simplify and speed up drive-through operations. It’s unknown when and if they will return.
Craving something green and crisp? McDonald’s has salads that can easily fit into a keto meal with a few customizations. Toss the croutons and opt for a low-carb dressing to keep things keto-compliant.
Side Salad with Dressing Options:
- No Croutons, Add Grilled Chicken:
- Nutritional Info: ~4g net carbs, 17g protein (with grilled chicken).
(Interestingly, the chicken is grilled with clarified butter, which is on my best keto foods for fat burning list.)
Grilled Chicken and Bacon Salad
- No Croutons, No Dressing:
- Nutritional Info: 9g net carbs, 32g protein
Note: Remove the tomatoes and there are only 7 grams of carbs.
This one is my favorite low carb McDonald’s meal option!
If you are eating it at home, try using a simple olive oil and balsamic vinegar dressing or making your own batch of keto ranch dressing to have on hand.
Is Crispy Chicken Low Carb at McDonald’s?
No, the crispy chicken at McDonald’s is definitely not low-carb.
It doesn’t matter what kind of chicken sandwich you have. Remove the bun, and the carb count plummets. However, if you’re closely monitoring net carbs, the crispy chicken contains more carbs.
The McCrispy chicken sandwich contains 18 net carbs, and the buttermilk chicken tenders contain 13 total carbs. Avoid the chicken nuggets, too, as the breading isn’t a good choice for a keto meal plan.
Instead, make your own keto air fryer chicken nuggets at home!
Drinks to Keep You in Ketosis
Many drinks at McDonald’s are loaded with hidden sugars, but there are keto-friendly options if you know what to look for.
Keto Drink Options:
- Black Coffee or Iced Coffee (No Sugar, Add Heavy Cream if Available)
- Unsweetened Iced Tea
- Diet Coke or any zero-sugar soda option
- Bottled Water
Avoid shakes, sweetened drinks, and even fruit juices—they’re all sugar traps.
Pro Tips for Ordering Keto at McDonald’s
- Customize Your Order: Almost any menu item can be made keto-friendly with a few tweaks. Don’t hesitate to personalize your meal.
- Double Up on Protein: Add an extra beef patty or more bacon to keep your macros in check. Your meal, your rules.
- Ask Questions: Not sure about the carb content of sauces or sides? Ask the staff or refer to McDonald’s nutritional guide available at their restaurants or online.
Why Keto at McDonald’s Works
Surprised that your go-to fast-food chain can fit into your low-carb lifestyle?
With options like bunless burgers, keto-friendly breakfast sandwiches, and refreshed salad selections, it’s never been easier to grab a delicious meal on the go and stay true to your keto goals.
McDonald’s is more than just convenience; it’s a place where you can enjoy comfort food without guilt—so long as you know how to order!
Now, over to you—what are your favorite McDonald’s keto menu orders? Share your go-to low-carb McDonald’s hack in the comments below, and don’t forget to pass this guide along to your fellow keto adventurers.
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Post updated December 20, 2024, with new images and additional recipe information. First published on December 10, 2020.
